Halff named interim chair of surgery

DR. HALFF

Dr. Glenn A. Halff has been appointed as the interim chair of the department of surgery. His appointment was announced by medical dean and executive vice president for academic and health affairs Dr. Steven Wartman.

The former surgery chairman, Dr. William Strodel, will remain on the faculty as professor of surgery, but resigned the chairmanship effective April 18. "I want to thank Dr. Strodel for his leadership and contributions to the department of surgery and to the Medical School," Dr. Wartman said.

Dr. Halff has directed the organ transplantation program in the surgery department since 1992 and was named head of the division of organ transplantation in 1998. "I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Halff," said the medical dean. "He brings considerable skill and experience to this position and I am delighted to have an individual of his caliber in this leadership role."

Dr. Halff, a native San Antonian, received his B.A. from Emory and his M.D. from the U. T. Health Science Center at Houston. Following his residency and chief residency in general surgery at New York University, Dr. Halff became a transplantation fellow at the University of Pittsburgh. Following several years on the faculty at New York University, he returned to San Antonio.

Dr. Halff is one of the country's leaders in organ transplantation. He began the liver transplant program here in 1992. It has grown progressively to become one of the largest programs in the country — approximately 10th largest among 120 — with excellent survival outcomes. The Health Science Center has been a regional leader implementing new techniques such as split-liver transplants to help two recipients with one donor liver, and also with living related liver transplants. Dr. Halff also is involved in clinical trials with new immunosuppressive medications to further improve transplant outcomes.